Itauma Vows to Return After Hrgovic Ends IBF Heavyweight Bid

Moses Itauma has vowed to return after Filip Hrgovic stopped his challenge for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at London's O2 Arena. Itauma's team threw in the towel in the ninth round on Saturday, ending the 21-year-old Briton's attempt to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history.

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BBC Sport reported that Itauma had won each of his first 14 professional fights before meeting Hrgovic. The British fighter entered as the favourite and set the early pace against an opponent known for his durability. Hrgovic, 34, stayed in the contest, however, and his greater experience became increasingly important as the fight progressed.

Itauma appeared to tire after expending significant energy, while Hrgovic increased the pressure. By the ninth round, Itauma was struggling to remain upright and his corner intervened to stop the contest. The result gave Hrgovic the vacant title and handed Itauma the first defeat of his professional career.

Itauma left the arena on a stretcher and was taken to hospital. According to BBC Sport, he underwent precautionary medical checks and was released overnight. No further medical diagnosis was detailed in the report, and Itauma subsequently addressed the result in a social-media statement.

In that message, Itauma acknowledged that the night had not produced the outcome he wanted and congratulated Hrgovic. He said the attempt to achieve something exceptional had fallen short against the more experienced fighter, but added that the bout had given him lessons he could carry into future contests. He closed by promising that he would return.

Queensberry Promotions head Frank Warren said the defeat removed Itauma's aura of invincibility but maintained that the young heavyweight remained an outstanding talent. Warren said his team would continue to support Itauma and argued that the fighter needed to develop more ring craft and move away from expecting every contest to end with a knockout. Hrgovic's only previous professional defeat came against Daniel Dubois in 2024.